Dr. Sankar Das Sarma stands as a preeminent theoretical physicist and leading authority in condensed matter physics, holding the distinguished Richard E. Prange Chair in Physics at the University of Maryland, College Park. He serves as a Distinguished University Professor and Director of the Condensed Matter Theory Center, while also maintaining his position as a Fellow of the Joint Quantum Institute. Originally from India and born in 1953, he earned his Ph.D. from Brown University in 1979 before establishing his enduring academic career. His nearly half-century tenure at the University of Maryland since 1980 has cemented his reputation as one of the most influential theoretical physicists of his generation in the American academic landscape.
With over 127,000 citations according to Google Scholar, Dr. Das Sarma has made seminal contributions to the understanding of electronic properties of materials, nonequilibrium statistical mechanics, and quantum information science. His pioneering research on topological phases of matter and Majorana fermions has fundamentally shaped the theoretical framework for fault-tolerant quantum computation. His work on quantum anomalous Hall effects and spin-orbit coupled systems has catalyzed new research directions across multiple subfields of condensed matter physics. The profound impact of his theoretical insights extends to experimental physics, where his predictions have guided cutting-edge research in quantum materials and quantum computing platforms worldwide.
As Director of the Condensed Matter Theory Center, Dr. Das Sarma has cultivated a world-class research environment that attracts top theoretical physicists from across the globe. His leadership in the field is widely recognized through his extensive publication record, editorial roles in major physics journals, and frequent invitations to keynote international conferences. Currently, his research group continues to explore frontier topics in quantum materials, including Majorana nanowires and fractional quantum Hall systems, with recent publications appearing in Physical Review B. His ongoing theoretical work promises to further bridge abstract concepts with experimental realizations in next-generation quantum technologies, ensuring his continued influence on the future trajectory of condensed matter physics.
